On Wednesday, August 13, the flag of the City of Portland will be lowered in honor of newborn Krystal Mangus who died the day she was born: April 12. She lived for twelve hours while her parents made stops to convenience stores, but ultimately never received medical care. She died of methamphetamine intoxication and neonatal pneumonia. Her parents are being held without bail following indictments of murder by abuse in the death of an infant and first-degree manslaughter.

City flags will be lowered at City Hall, the Portland Building, Portland fire stations, the World Trade Center, Pioneer Courthouse Square, and Providence Park.

“We have infant safe haven laws where any infant up to 30 days old can be taken to a medical facility, police or fire station, or birthing station,” said Commissioner Dan Saltzman. “Krystal might still be alive today had someone taken her to any of these places or had just simply called 911.”

Also on Wednesday, Commissioner Saltzman will make remarks followed by a moment of silence in honor of Krystal at the 9:30am Portland City Council meeting at Portland City Hall.

City Council approved a resolution in April 2009 to lower the City’s flag in honor of children who die from abuse, neglect, or homicidal violence. This marks the fourteenth time that the flag has been lowered.

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If you know of or suspect abuse, call the Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-509-5439. If you witness abuse, call 911.